The "Middle East and Terrorism" Blog was created in order to supply information about the implication of Arab countries and Iran in terrorism all over the world. Most of the articles in the blog are the result of objective scientific research or articles written by senior journalists.

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Sunday, November 5, 2017

Palestinians: Meet Abbas's New Partners - Bassam Tawil

by Bassam Tawil

Abbas continues to tell the world that he is working to achieve a
peaceful settlement with Israel. But will he be able to continue saying
such things after he joins forces with his new partners in Hamas and
Islamic Jihad?

Hamas and Islamic Jihad
leaders are strongly opposed to Mahmoud Abbas's political agenda and
even see him as a collaborator with Israel.

Leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad announced at a rally on
November 2 that they are determined to stick to their weapons "until the
liberation of all of Palestine" -- or, in other words, until the total
destruction of Israel and the elimination of Jews.

When Zahar says that only a "crazy person" thinks he can disarm
Hamas and other armed groups in the Gaza Strip, he is clearly referring
to Abbas. Zahar's statement should be seen as a direct threat to Abbas.

Abbas continues to tell the world that he is working to achieve a
peaceful settlement with Israel. But will he be able to continue saying
such things after he joins forces with his new partners in Hamas and
Islamic Jihad? The answer is simple and clear: No.

As Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas are moving
forward towards implementing their "reconciliation" agreement, we are
already getting an idea of what this new partnership is going to look
like.

Abbas is trying to sell the agreement to the world as a deal that
enables him and his Palestinian Authority (PA) to return to the Gaza
Strip and assume full control there. He and his PA officials and
spokesmen have also been working hard to convince the international
community that only good will come out of the "reconciliation" agreement
and that Hamas is even headed toward moderation and pragmatism.

However, Abbas and the PA seem to be engaged in yet another bid to deceive and lie to the international community.

Just last week, Israel foiled another plan by Hamas to dig a terror tunnel deep into Israeli territory.The tunnel was supposed to be used by Hamas to dispatch terrorists
into Israel to kill or kidnap as many Jews as possible. The tunnel was a
joint Hamas-Islamic Jihad project. The terrorists have been working on
the tunnel for some time -- before and after the "reconciliation" accord
that was reached in Cairo last month.

This means that for Hamas and Islamic Jihad it is business as usual
-- "reconciliation" or not, they are determined to continue their jihad
to destroy Israel. The two terror groups may allow Abbas and his
Palestinian Authority to return to the Gaza Strip, but Hamas and Islamic
Jihad will continue to control what goes on under the earth. They will
also continue to stick to their weapons in preparation for war against
Israel.

Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the rest of the terror groups operating in
the Gaza Strip continue to make it clear as day that they have no
intention to disarm as a result of the "reconciliation" agreement. Abbas
and the PA are welcome to assume civilian control of the Gaza Strip,
but when it comes to security and weapons, Abbas is not entitled to
raise this issue at all.

On November 2, Abbas received yet another indication of what awaits
him and his Palestinian Authority as a result of the "reconciliation"
agreement. Leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad announced that they are
determined to stick to their weapons "until the liberation of all of
Palestine" -- or, in other words, until the total destruction of Israel
and the elimination of Jews.

The announcement was made during a rally held by Hamas and Islamic Jihad
in the town of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip to commemorate two Hamas
terrorists who were killed when Israel blew up the tunnel two days
earlier.

Mahmoud Zahar, a senior Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, told the
thousands of Palestinians attending the rally: "We will continue to
resist the occupier until the liberation of all of Palestine." He also
cautioned "any crazy person against trying to take one rifle from the
hands of the resistance." Zahar sent his "blessings" to the Hamas and
Islamic Jihad terrorists who are preparing around the clock to wage war
against Israel. "We are training our sons to dig under the temporary
borders so that they can reach the occupied territories [Israel]."

Islamic Jihad leader Sheikh Nafez Azzam, who spoke at the rally, also
stressed his group's adherence to its weapons. "For Hamas and Islamic
Jihad, the option of jihad is a basic option. It's a great honor to
stand here today in front of our martyrs."

These are the Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders who are soon expected
to become Abbas's partners in managing the affairs of Palestinians in
the Gaza Strip, in accordance with the "reconciliation" deal. These
Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders are strongly opposed to Abbas's
political agenda and even see him as a "collaborator" with Israel. At
the rally, both Zahar and Azzam repeated their vehement opposition to
any peaceful settlement with Israel and said that "armed resistance" is
the only way to destroy Israel. The two men should be given credit for
their honesty and straight-forward talk.

Zahar's warning should ignite a red light with Abbas. When Zahar says
that only a "crazy person" thinks he can disarm Hamas and other armed
groups in the Gaza Strip, he is clearly referring to Abbas. Zahar's
statement should be seen as a direct threat to Abbas. Abbas, for his
part, is not oblivious to such threats and he knows, more than anyone
else, that the weapons of Hamas and other terror groups in the Gaza
Strip are a red line. If he crosses it, he will be buried in one of the
terror tunnels.

So why does Abbas insist on proceeding with his "reconciliation"
agreement with Hamas? Because he wants to look good in the eyes of his
people by showing them that he cares about Palestinian "unity" and is
keen on ending the split between the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Abbas is
hoping that the agreement will allow him to present himself as the
president of all Palestinians, including those living in the Gaza Strip,
and not just a powerless and weak president controlling small parts of
the West Bank. Some Palestinians like to refer to Abbas as the "Mayor of
Ramallah" – a hint at his limited power.

Abbas continues to tell the world that he is working to achieve a
peaceful settlement with Israel. But will he be able to continue saying
such things after he joins forces with his new partners in Hamas and
Islamic Jihad? Will Zahar and Azzam allow Abbas to pursue any peace
process with Israel after the "reconciliation" accord is implemented?
The answer is simple and clear: No.

Abbas and the Palestinian Authority may be on their way to returning
to the Gaza Strip, but nothing good will come out of this move. This is
merely an internal Palestinian issue designed to benefit both Abbas and
Hamas, each in their own way and according to their own interests. But
at the end of the day, no dramatic changes should be expected as a
result of the "marriage" between the PA and Hamas.

This is a marriage of convenience intended first and foremost for
internal consumption and then for tricking the international community.
It's time for the world to listen to what Palestinian leaders are
telling their people in Arabic. In Arabic, Hamas and Islamic Jihad are
being very honest and frank about their dream to destroy Israel.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad are indeed very serious about their
intentions; they are not only talking, but are busy digging more tunnels
and amassing weapons in preparation for the destruction of Israel.
These are Abbas's new partners, and the world needs to take notice.

Bassam Tawil is a Muslim based in the Middle East.Source: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/11284/abbas-hamas-isamic-jihad Follow Middle East and Terrorism on TwitterCopyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.